How does this artillery round pose a serious threat to Russia’s military capabilities?

Precision-guided artillery shells, which might cause huge problems for the Russian military, were included in the assistance package supplied to Ukraine. Check out today's revelatory new narrative, which examines the artillery shell that frightens Putin. 💣💣💥💥

Major developments can be seen when perusing the list of the most recent $2.15 billion in military aid from the United States to Ukraine. Dozens of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Stryker armored personnel carriers, and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles are now all traveling abroad. However, a seemingly innocuous addition to the list also attracts attention. In addition to 20,000 155mm artillery rounds, the US is also sending 600 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds. That is important, too. The M982 Excalibur artillery projectile in question is a guided round that has only been used 1,400 times in actual combat. It's a very powerful munition. Excalibur rounds use extendable glider fins and GPS guidance to transform a dumb shell into an extremely accurate, all-weather weapon that can strike a target up to 35 miles away with an error radius of 13 feet, in contrast to regular shells that can only be fired 15 miles away with an error radius of 490 feet.

The one-to-one target feature is referred to as a sniper-like capability by Raytheon executives. The Excalibur's variable glide track resembles something you might typically see on a much more expensive cruise missile, in contrast to normal artillery rounds, which are fired in a predictable, neat ballistic arc. One of the Excalibur's main draws is this. Because of its razor-sharp accuracy, you can hit enemy forces directly on the first try, negating the need to use it to disperse them. This suggests a smaller logistical footprint and the added advantage of firing at targets near friendly units without suffering as much collateral damage. Excalibur shells can be set up to either head straight for a target or explode in the air above it.

A single Excalibur projectile can reportedly hit an intended target with greater accuracy than would be possible with between 10 and 50 unguided artillery rounds using conventional methods, thanks to their impressive success rate. Using its inertial navigation system, the Excalibur's GPS receiver is even jam-resistant while in flight. From any Russian electronic warfare platforms, this ought to shield it. US Army soldiers successfully employed Excaliburs in Iraq. Thanks to their NATO-standard size, they can be fired from M109A6 Paladins, British AS-90s, German PzH 2000s, the Polish AHS Krab, and Swedish Archer howitzers—some of which have been generously donated for Ukrainian use. Even towed American M777 and M198 howitzers can fire them. Yes, Excaliburs are significantly more expensive than their traditional 155mm counterparts; firing one will set you back $68,000 as opposed to $800 for unguided shells.

However, it is significantly less expensive than using a 150,000-pound HIMARS rocket on a smaller target. In that sense, what it lacks in affordability, it certainly makes up for in accuracy. With the aid of precise Western intelligence and satellite imagery, Ukrainian units have been scouring Russian munitions supply depots and command centers for months in an effort to destabilize the Russian military machine. Munitions shortages have been reported on both sides, making it even more important to economize and prioritize fire missions for the most important targets. Excaliburs come in multiple variants to match the needs of your mission. Some of them feature Enhanced Shaped Trajectory (EST) software, which allows attackers to optimize their rounds by choosing the projectiles' terminal final phase attack angle.

Others have armor-piercing warheads that employ the tested StormBreaker smart weapon design, autonomously locating a target even if it is moving in a snowstorm. The GPS jamming risk is reduced by laser-guided variations. There is even one you can fire from 5-inch naval guns at sea. In an interview with TASS Russian state media, a high-ranking Donetsk People's Republic Militia DPR member reaffirmed the lethality of the M982 Excalibur guided artillery shell. The Excalibur, which has a seeker and can change its course as it nears its target, was, in his opinion, possibly the most dangerous component of the US military assistance to Ukraine. They are GPS- and tide-guided, he added, claiming the DPR's best hope at mitigating the threat would be to destroy the rounds while stored in warehouses.

He concluded that they must be prevented from ever being delivered to firing positions. With artillery rounds being hurled across the frontlines at an insane rate, the Ukrainians have already delivered devastating damage with the addition of the accurate M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System HIMARS and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System MLRS to their arsenal. Tens of thousands of 155mm howitzer rounds are being used each month by Ukraine's armed forces.

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